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Whale Watching
Photo: Saguenay - St. Lawrence Marine Park ©Pierre Rambaud/Le Cyclope
Whether you opt for a whale-watching cruise in the comfort of a 500-passenger boat or an outing in a reliable Zodiac or sea kayak, you are guaranteed an exciting sea experience in Québec maritime. Come and observe up to 13 species of whales in the St. Lawrence, including friendly belugas and blue whales, the largest animals to have ever lived on earth. In some places you can even watch them from the shore. Experienced guides will introduce you to these impressive marine mammals.
Whale Watching Packages
Whales & Nature
Ferme 5 Étoiles Family Vacation Site
Starting from $239.00
per person, double occupancy, taxes not included
Valid from May 15, 2010 to October 15, 2010
Great Adventure in the Whale Kingdom
Hôtel Tadoussac
Starting from $182.00
per person, taxes not included
Valid from May 7, 2010 to October 10, 2010
Testimonials about Whale Watching
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April 2010
Explore Scenic Drives by Motorcycle!
"Discover a tourism destination where roads run alongside the sea, mountains, valleys and rivers in a region dotted with rest areas, scenic lookouts and great gourmet finds." Read more » -
The Lower North Shore: Where Sea Meets Sky
"The low horizon and the wide sea provide a perfect backdrop for unique sunsets." Read more »
Read all testimonials
Highlights
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Saguenay National Park
Observe St. Lawrence belugas in Sainte-Marguerite Bay all summer long. -
Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park
Take in the marine scenery from another angle while you enjoy the beauties of the park during a sea excursion: see both sides of Percé Rock as well as the bird colony on Bonaventure Island. If you are lucky, you might even spot the blow of a whale. -
Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre
Sites such as the Marine Environment Discovery Centre, Cap-de-Bon-Désir, Pointe de l’Islet and Pointe-Noire are excellent places to observe marine mammals. Come and be inspired by this marine environment and keep your eyes wide open!
See all whale watching companies (20) and plan my trip The whales of the St. Lawrence
Whale watching in Québec maritime
Observe the 13 species of St. Lawrence whales during a cruise on a passenger boat or by Zodiac or kayak. You can also see whales from various land-based observation sites.
Observe the 13 species of St. Lawrence whales during a cruise on a passenger boat or by Zodiac or kayak. You can also see whales from various land-based observation sites.
Photo: Marc Loiselle
Minke whale – 6-9 metres, 6-8 tonnes
The smallest of the baleen whales, minkes execute spectacular surface manoeuvres to catch their prey, displaying their pink underside. They are often spotted near the shore.
The smallest of the baleen whales, minkes execute spectacular surface manoeuvres to catch their prey, displaying their pink underside. They are often spotted near the shore.
Photo: Marc Loiselle
Fin whale – 18-21 metres, 40-50 tonnes
The world’s second largest animals and the fastest of the large cetaceans, fin whales can dive to a depth of 100 metres. Their loud blow in the shape of a column can reach 4 to 6 metres in height.
The world’s second largest animals and the fastest of the large cetaceans, fin whales can dive to a depth of 100 metres. Their loud blow in the shape of a column can reach 4 to 6 metres in height.
Photo: Pierre Rambaud/Le Cyclope
Blue whale – 21-26 metres, 80-210 tonnes
The St. Lawrence is one of the rare places in the world where blue whales—the largest animals on the planet—can be observed. Only a few hundred of these whales still exist.
The St. Lawrence is one of the rare places in the world where blue whales—the largest animals on the planet—can be observed. Only a few hundred of these whales still exist.
Photo: Marc Loiselle
Humpback whale – 11-13 metres, 25-30 tonnes
The best known of the large cetaceans, humpbacks show their tail with every dive. Their balloon-shaped blow can be up to 3 metres high. They are known for their acrobatics and songs.
The best known of the large cetaceans, humpbacks show their tail with every dive. Their balloon-shaped blow can be up to 3 metres high. They are known for their acrobatics and songs.
Photo: Christian Ramp/MICS
Beluga – 3-4.5 metres, 0.7-1.5 tonnes
Belugas have the widest vocal range among cetaceans. The only whales to live year round in the St. Lawrence, they are easy to recognize by their white skin and perpetual smile.
Belugas have the widest vocal range among cetaceans. The only whales to live year round in the St. Lawrence, they are easy to recognize by their white skin and perpetual smile.
Photo: Jean-Pierre Sylvestre
Atlantic white-sided dolphin: 2-2.7 m, 180-230 kg
These dolphins swim in pods of hundreds of individuals. Curious and playful, they love to surf in boat wakes. They occasionally visit the estuary, but are found in great numbers in the gulf.
These dolphins swim in pods of hundreds of individuals. Curious and playful, they love to surf in boat wakes. They occasionally visit the estuary, but are found in great numbers in the gulf.
Photo: Frédéric Paquet/MICS
Whale research activities
The Mingan Island Cetacean Study invites visitors to participate in whale research during one-day excursions or one- or two-week research sessions in the Côte-Nord and Gaspésie regions.
The Mingan Island Cetacean Study invites visitors to participate in whale research during one-day excursions or one- or two-week research sessions in the Côte-Nord and Gaspésie regions.
Photo: Christian Ramp/MICS
Whale photo identification
Scientists take photos of the whales and note their distinctive characteristics, such as pigmentation, flipper shape or scarring, which allows them to identify individual whales.
Scientists take photos of the whales and note their distinctive characteristics, such as pigmentation, flipper shape or scarring, which allows them to identify individual whales.
Photo: Marc Loiselle
Whales Online
Visit this reference and news site, managed by the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), for information about the St. Lawrence whales and their habitat.
Visit this reference and news site, managed by the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), for information about the St. Lawrence whales and their habitat.
Photo: Jean-Pierre Sylvestre
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